Condenser tube extractor



0cm, 5, 1954 c, BISHOP 2,690,613

CONDENSER TUBE EXTRACTOR Filed April 24, 1951 Clifford F1 Bishop INVEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PTENT OFFICE 1 Claim. 1

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a condenser tube extractor and has as its primary object the provision of a means for removing a single condenser tube from a condenser without damage or interference with any of the surrounding tubes.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a method for extracting a condenser tube or a straight boiler tube which contemplates a positive attachment of the removing device with the tube desired to be removed.

The foregoing objects are intended to be accomplished with condenser or boiler tubes embedded in tube sheets or plates, having a direct flush contact with the tube itself. Although this object does not eliminate those apparatuses which use an adapter or ferrule on the end of the condenser tube which is embedded in the tube sheet or plate, it is intended that by the use of this invention, such adapter means are obviated.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary top view illustrating an open ended condenser tube previous to the insertion of the apparatus of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view showing the first few steps in the application and operation of the instant invention; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side sectional view showing the complete application of the instant invention to the matter worked on, namely, the condenser tube and also showing in dotted lines, a partial extraction of the tube from the condenser or boiler.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be noted that the numeral I designates a portion of a tube sheet or plate which, in conventional practice, is a sheet perforated with holes for the reception of condenser tubes, such as the tube indicated by the numeral l2, in a boiler or condensing apparatus.

Whenever it is desired to replace, repair or in any way maintain any particular tube, it is quite essential to efiicient operation to be able to remove each tube individually without interference or damage to the surrounding or neighboring tubes. This invention contemplates both a method and structure for accomplishing this result in a more effective manner.

With particular reference to Figure 3, the structure of the apparatus for performing the extraction process will first be described. Accordingly, it will be noted that the extractor exists of a pulling shaft l4 being threaded throughout substantially its entire length. However, at the left end as viewed in the illustration, it will be seen that the shaft is provided with a short peripherally smooth section [6 and a diametrically enlarged end portion l8. At the opposite end of the shaft i l, the structure includes fiat portions comprising areas over which a wrench or the like may be applied for turning of the shaft.

The enlarged end I 8 of the shaft It provides a seat upon which the holding head 22 may be assembled. To secure these two members in an immovable relationship, they are both provided with bores, as 24 and 26, through which may be placed a tapered pin 28. The top end of the holding head 22 is generally semi-spherical in contour and is provided with successively inwardly graduated ribs although this particular construction has been utilized to roughen the top semi-spherical portion of the holding head 22, it is to be understood that any other desired method or structure could be employed.

Provided for threaded reception on the shaft H! is a clamp nut 32 having its left end portion 31 carved out in the manner of a concave surface. The opposite end of the clam nut 32 is provided with a reduced section which may be of any particularly desired contour for easy attachment of a wrench or the like for rotation of the clamping nut 32 relative to the shaft [4.

A spacer element 33, being generally of a frusto-conical shape having an open bottom cylindrical end 34 which, for any particular tube plate or sheet I0, is large enough to straddle or cover the aperture in the tube sheet. The upper end 36 of the spacer 33 is provided with a central reduced opening 38 which is intended to slidably receive the shaft M. The upper surface of the end portion 36 is provided with an u per flat surface 40 which is intended to abuttingly engage a pulling nut 42, the latter being threaded upon the shaft I 4. The pulling nut 42 is also provided, as in the previous cases, with an outer reduced portion adapted for the reception of a wrench of the like.

The method of using the extracting apparatus is as follows. Referring to Figure 2, by the use V of a hacksaw or a similar sawing device, a plurality of longitudinal cuts, as seen in Figure 1, are made in the lateral surface of the tube 12. Next, that portion of the apparatus which includes the shaft [4 and the holding head 22 is inserted within the tube [2. A chisel or some prying device, as 96, is then utilized for bending the resulting segments 48 of the severed tube l2 inwardly to form a rounded convex end on the tube I2, as seen in Figure 3. It will be appreciated, however, that this convex end 50 is provided with an opening capable of receiving the shaft M.

The clamping nut 32 is then applied to the shaft 14 and threadedly compressively seated against the outer surface of the arcuated end portion 51 Next, the spacer is slidably emplaced on the shaft M whereby the lower end 34 is made to straddle the hole in which the tube [2 is disposed. It is believed that the further operation of threadedly applying the pulling nut 45?. to the shaft 14 and rotating the same relative to the shaft whereby if the shaft is held relative to the pulling nut 42, the tube will be extracted from the sheet ill, will be readily understood.

n the foregoing, it is believed that the conand operation of the present invention ll be obvious and accordingly, further desc1-,,ti0n is believed to be unnecessary.

Ho ever, since numerous modifications will occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A tube extractor comprising a threaded shaft, an enlarged head on said shaft, a holding head, said holding head having a bore slidably engaging said shaft and a counter bore receiving said enlarged head, means securing said clamping head in non-rotative engagement with said shaft, a substantially semi-spherical clamping face on said holding head, a clamping nut threadedly mounted on said shaft, a hollow hemispherical clamping face on said clamping nut, a hollow frusto-conical spacing member slidably mounted on said shaft, a pulling nut threadedly mounted on said shaft for pulling said shaft through said spacing member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 689,742 Newman Dec. 24, 1901 1,465,124 Gardner Aug. 14, 1923 1,508,800 Martin Nov, 30, 1926 2,292,446 Huck Aug, 11, 1942 2,300,914 Flindt Nov. 3, 1942 2,353,451 Fischer July 11, 1944 2,366,467 Anderson Jan. 2, 1945 2,411,246 Clapper Nov. 19, 1946 2,424,681 Eberhart July 29, 194"! 

